With the NHL looking to crack down on questionable hits, Devils forward Rod Pelley knew he was in trouble when he checked Pittsburgh's Alex Goligoski into the corner boards with 6:29 remaining Wednesday night at the Prudential Center.

Bruce Bennett/Getty ImagesRod Pelley (10) hits Pittsburgh's Mark Eaton Wednesday night at the Prudential Center.His five-minute major penalty for boarding could have come with a misconduct penalty and possible action from the league, so Pelley considered himself fortunate.

"He's a good skater and I was just trying to eliminate him from the play," Pelley explained. "He turned right as I started going in there. I got two hands on his number.

"It's unfortunate I took a major. I'm definitely not trying to hit anyone from behind. I'm just trying to play honest. It's going to happen."

Goligoski got back up after a few seconds and was not seriously hurt.

"It happened so quick there," Pelley said. "It's kind of just a reaction. I was already committed to finishing my hit. I kind of had my arms out. I just kind of followed through. He went in pretty rough."

The Penguins eventually had a three-minute power play because Kris Letang received a roughing minor for going after Pelley. Fortunately for Pelley, the Devils killed off the Pittsburgh power play.

In fact, Pelley came out of the box to clear the puck out of the zone.

"It was a great kill. Great effort by the guys," Pelley said. "All game long guys paid the price. The penalty killing was outstanding."

Coach Jacques Lemaire was happy with Pelley's game.

"His penalty? That will happen," Lemaire said. "But I thought he played good. I moved him on the third line for a time because I like what he's doing. He doesn't do anything fancy but he takes the man, skates well, finishes checks and plays good position. I'm happy with what he's doing.

"I didn't see his penalty. I don't know if the guy turned when he saw him coming. But I don't think it was undisciplined. Not from him. He just wants to play hard."

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Lemaire would not say if Martin Brodeur will start in Toronto Thursday night.

He also hedged on whether Paul Martin will play again.

"We haven't decided that yet," he said about Martin. "We talked briefly about it. We'll taje the decision on our way there or early tomorrow morning."